NFLPA To File Grievance Against New England Patriots Over Aaron Hernandez Unpaid Workout Bonus

The NFL Players Association is planning to file a grievance against the New England Patriots over the team’s refusal to make good on the $82,000 in workout bonus money it owes to disgraced former tight end Aaron Hernandez.

Hernandez, now jailed on first-degree murder charges in the execution style slaying of former semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd, was scheduled to receive the money on Aug. 1 based on a clause in his rookie contract.

According to reports, Hernandez had satisfied a large enough portion of the team’s off season program prior to being jailed at the Bristol County Jail without bond on June 26. The battle over the workout bonus is expected to be only the first in a series of them between management and the player’s union over money that has either been paid or remains owed to the 23-year-old Hernandez, who signed a five-year, $37.5 million extension with the team last August.

According to reports, the extension included a $12.5 million signing bonus, of which $3.25 million is scheduled to be paid on March 31, 2014. Not only have the Patriots hinted they plan to withhold that payment, but also seek to recover some $10 million previously paid to Hernandez as part of a signing bonus.

Hernandez, who is also thought to be a suspect in an unsolved 2012 double slaying in Boston, maintains his innocence and is scheduled in court later this month for a probable cause hearing in the Lloyd killing.

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